Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/144473 
Year of Publication: 
2014
Series/Report no.: 
NBB Working Paper No. 261
Publisher: 
National Bank of Belgium, Brussels
Abstract: 
In this paper a semiparametric stochastic metafrontier approach is used to obtain insight into firmlevel competitiveness in Europe. We differ from standard TFP studies at the firm level as we simultaneously allow for inefficiency, noise and do not impose a functional form on the input-output relation. Using AMADEUS firm-level data covering 10 manufacturing sectors from seven EU15 countries, (i) we document substantial, persistent differences in competitiveness (with Belgium and Germany as benchmark countries and Spain lagging behind) and a wide technology gap, (ii) we confirm the absence of convergence in TFP between the seven selected countries, (iii) we confirm that the technology gap is more pronounced for smaller firms, (iv) we highlight the role of post-entry growth for competitiveness.
Subjects: 
competitiveness
cross-country analysis
firm heterogeneity
total factor productivity
post-entry growth
JEL: 
C14
D24
L25
M13
O33
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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